Study of axial double layer in helicon plasma by optical emission spectroscopy and simple probe

In this work we used a passive measurement method based on a high-impedance electrostatic probe and an optical emission spectroscope （OES） to investigate the characteristics of the double layer （DL） in an argon helicon plasma. The DL can be confirmed by a rapid change in the plasma potential along the axis. The axial potential variation of the passive measurement shows that the DL forms near a region of strong magnetic field gradient when the plasma is operated in wave- coupled mode, and the DL strength increases at higher powers in this experiment. The emission intensity of the argon atom line, which is strongly dependent on the metastable atom concentration, shows a similar spatial distribution to the plasma potential along the axis. The emission intensity of the argon atom line and the argon ion line in the DL suggests the existence of an energetic electron population upstream of the DL. The electron density upstream is much higher than that downstream, which is mainly caused by these energetic electrons.

Characteristics and underlying physics of ionic wind in dc corona discharge under different polarities

During a dc corona discharge, the ions’ momentum will be transferred to the surrounding neutral molecules, inducing an ionic wind.The characteristics of corona discharge and the induced ionic wind are investigated experimentally and numerically under different polarities using a needle-to-ring electrode configuration.The morphology and mechanism of corona discharge, as well as the characteristics and mechanism of the ionic wind, are different when the needle serves as cathode or anode.Under the different polarities of the applied voltage, the ionic wind velocity has a linear relation with the overvoltage.The ionic wind is stronger but has a smaller active region for positive corona compared to that for negative corona under a similar condition.The involved physics are analyzed by theoretical deduction as well as simulation using a fluid model.The ionic wind of negative corona is mainly affected by negative ions.The discharge channel has a dispersed feature due to the dispersed field, and therefore the ionic wind has a larger active area.The ionic wind of positive corona is mainly affected by positive ions.The discharge develops in streamer mode, leading to a stronger ionic wind but a lower active area.

Characteristics of inductively coupled plasma(ICP)and helicon plasma in a single-loop antenna

Large area uniform plasma sources,such as high-density magnetized inductively coupled plasma(ICP)and helicon plasma,have broad applications in industry.A comprehensive comparison of ICP and helicon plasma,excited by a single-loop antenna,is presented in this paper from the perspectives of mode transition,hysteresis behavior,and density distribution.The E-H mode transition in ICP and the E-H-W mode transition in helicon plasma are clearly observed in the experiments.Besides,the considerable variation of hysteresis behavior from inverse hysteresis to normal hysteresis by the influence of the magnetic field is explored.The bi-Maxwellian and Maxwellian electron energy distribution functions in each discharge are used to explain this phenomenon,which is essentially related to the transition from a nonlocal kinetic property to a local kinetic property of electrons.In addition,we notice that the plasma density,in the radial direction,is peaked in the center of the tube in ICP,but a complicated distribution is formed in helicon plasma.In the axial direction,the maximum plasma density is still in the center of the antenna in ICP,whereas the highest plasma density is located downstream,far away from the antenna,in helicon plasma.It is believed that the reflected electrons in the sheath and pre-sheath by the upper metallic endplate and downstream propagated helicon wave will be responsible for this plasma density profile in helicon plasma.Due to the constrained electron motion in the magnetic field,an extremely uniform density distribution will be obtained with an appropriate axial magnetic field in the wave discharge mode.

The influence of defects in a plasma photonic crystal on the characteristics of microwave transmittance

Plasma photonic crystals(PPCs) have been a hot research topic in the band gap(BG) material field in recent years due to their unique advantages, such as the feasibility of changing the parameters and hence the properties of the materials with respect to traditional photonic crystals(PCs). In this paper,we focus mainly on the effects of some types of defects introduced in PPCs on the changes in BG characteristics of microwave(MW) transmittance. The research is carried out using numerical simulation with a one-dimensional finite-difference time-domain(FDTD) method, and six types of defects, including a lattice-constant defect, radii-ratio defect, additional-column defect, column-width defect, plasma-frequency defect, and electron-collision-frequency defect, are concerned. It transpires that introducing a defect in a PPC in different manners may realize the symmetric change, alternative change, shifting, generating, transforming, disappearing, and attenuating of BGs in transmittance spectra, which has great potential for the manufacture of spatiotemporal-controllable MW materials and devices with more feasible modulating functions.

Numerical study of the influence of dielectric tube on propagation of atmospheric pressure plasma jet based on coplanar dielectric barrier discharge

A 2D fluid model was employed to simulate the influence of dielectric on the propagation of atmospheric pressure helium plasma jet based on coplanar dielectric barrier discharge（DBD）.The spatio-temporal distributions of electron density,ionization rate,electrical field,spatial charge and the spatial structure were obtained for different dielectric tubes that limit the helium flow.The results show that the change of the relative permittivity of the dielectric tube where the plasma jet travels inside has no influence on the formation of DBD itself,but has great impact on the jet propagation.The velocity of the plasma jet changes drastically when the jet passes from a tube of higher permittivity to one of lower permittivity,resulting in an increase in jet length,ionization rate and electric field,as well as a change in the distribution of space charges and discharge states.The radius of the dielectric tube has a great influence on the ring-shaped or solid bullet structure.These results can well explain the behavior of the plasma jet from the dielectric tube into the ambient air and the hollow bullet in experiments.

Experiments on the characteristics of underwater electrical wire explosions for reservoir stimulation

Underwater shock waves generated by pulsed electrical discharges are an effective,economical,and environmentally friendly means of stimulating reservoirs,and this technology has received much attention and intensive research in the past few years.This paper reviews the main results of recent work on underwater electrical wire explosion(UEWE)for reservoir stimulation.Aplatform is developed for microsecond singlewire explosions in water,and diagnostics based on a voltage probe,current coil,pressure probe,photodiode,and spectrometer are used to characterize the UEWE process and accompanying shock waves.First,the UEWE characteristics under different discharge types are studied and general principles are clarified.Second,the shock-wave generation mechanism is investigated experimentally by interrupting the electrical energy injection into the wire at different stages of the wire-explosion process.It is found that the vaporization process is vital for the formation of shock waves,whereas the energy deposited after voltage collapse has only a limited effect.Furthermore,the relationships between the electrical-circuit and shock-wave parameters are investigated,and an empirical approach is developed for estimating the shock-wave parameters.Third,how the wire material and water state affect the wire-explosion process is studied.To adjust the shock-wave parameters,a promising method concerning energetic material load is proposed and tested.Finally,the fracturing effect of the pulsed-discharge shock waves is discussed,as briefly are some of the difficulties associated with UEWE-based reservoir stimulation.

Axial profiles of argon helicon plasma by optical emission spectroscope and Langmuir probe

We present the axial profiles of argon helicon plasma measured by a local optical emission spectroscope(OES) and Langmuir RF-compensated probe. The results show that the emission intensity of the argon atom lines(750 nm, 811 nm) is proportional to the plasma density determined by the Langmuir probe. The axial profile of helicon plasma depends on the discharge mode which changes with the RF power. Excited by helical antenna, the axial distribution of plasma density is similar to that of the external magnetic field in the capacitive coupled mode(E-mode). As the discharge mode changes into the inductively coupled mode(H-mode), the axial distribution of plasma density in the downstream can still be similar to that of the external magnetic field, but becomes more uniform in the upstream. When the discharge entered wave coupled mode(W-mode), the plasma becomes nearly uniform along the axis, showing a completely different profile from the magnetic field. The W-mode is expected to be a mixed pattern of helicon(H) and Trivelpiece-Gould(TG) waves.

Nonlinear phenomena in dielectric barrier discharges: pattern, striation and chaos

The nonlinear phenomenon is very popular in dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） plasmas. There are at least three kinds of spatial and temporal nonlinear phenomena appearing synchronously or asynchronously in DBDs, i.e. self-organized patterns, striations and chaos. This paper describes the recent research and progress in understanding the nature of these nonlinear phenomena. Patterns are macroscopic structures with certain spatial and/or temporal periodicities generated through self- organization of microscopic parameters. The physics of patterns in DBDs is mainly associated with lateral dynamic behaviors or the lateral non-local effect of charged particles resulting in the lateral development or non-uniformity of discharge. Striations are ionization waves with unique properties determined by transport phenomena, ionization processes and electron kinetics in current-carrying plasmas. The physics of striations in DBDs is mainly associated with the advances in non-local electron kinetics in spatially inhomogeneous plasmas. Chaos is a kind of random and non-periodic phenomenon occunfng in a determined dynamic system, following a series of certain rules while exhibiting random locomotion, and is regarded as an intrinsic and ubiquitous phenomenon in a nonlinear dynamic system. An evolution trajectory including period-doubling bifurcation to chaos was observed in DBDs or DBD-derived plasmas. In a common sense, it is believed that the formation of all the three nonlinear phenomena in a DBD system should be related to the non-local transversal and/or longitudinal dynamics of space charges （i.e. non-local effect） or the localized electric field interaction. Future work is still needed on the underlying physics and should be directed to pursuing the unification of these nonlinear phenomena in DBD.

Experimental investigations of enhanced glow based on a pulsed hollow-cathode discharge

In this work, the pulsed hollow cathode discharges at low pressure argon with an axial magnetic field were studied. The results indicate that the pulsed discharge is operated in an enhanced glow(EG) mode. Under the same conditions, the discharge current of the pulsed discharge is two or three orders higher than that of the direct current discharge. The spatial and temporal evolution of the light emission shows that, the current fluctuation at the rising edge of the pulse plays an important role for the EG discharge of pulsed hollow cathode, which forms a high-density, highcurrent and long-distance plasma column outside the cavity.

Comparison of double layer in argon helicon plasma and magnetized DC discharge plasma

We present in this paper the comparison of an electric double layer(DL)in argon helicon plasma and magnetized direct current(DC)discharge plasma.DL in high-density argon helicon plasma of 13.56 MHz RF discharge was investigated experimentally by a floating electrostatic probe and local optical emission spectroscopy(LOES).The DL characteristics at different operating parameters,including RF power(300-1500 W),tube diameter(8-60 mm),and external magnetic field(0-300 G),were measured.For comparison,DL in magnetized plasma channel of a DC discharge under different conditions was also measured experimentally.The results show that in both cases,DL appears in a divergent magnetic field where the magnetic field gradient is the largest and when the plasma density is sufficiently high.DL strength(or potential drop of DL)increases with the magnetic field in two different structures.It is suggested that the electric DL should be a common phenomenon in dense plasma under a gradient external magnetic field.DL in magnetized plasmas can be controlled properly by magnetic field structure and discharge mode(hence the plasma density).

Discharge and post-explosion behaviors of electrical explosion of conductors from a single wire to planar wire array

This work deals with an experimental study of a Cu planar wire array(PWA)in air and water under the stored energy 300-1200 J.A single Cu wire is adopted as a controlled trial.Four configurations of PWA and a wire with the same mass(cross-section area)but the different specific surface areas(15-223 cm^(2)g^(-1))are exploded.The transient process is analyzed using high-speed photography in combination with the results of optical emission and discharge.Discharge characteristics revealed that PWA always has a higher electric power peak,early but higher voltage peak,as well as faster vaporization and ionization process than the single-wire case.Two to three times stronger optical emission could be obtained when replacing the single-wire with PWA,indicating a higher energy-density state is reached.Phenomenologically,in both air and water,single-wire load tends to develop a transverse stratified structure,while PWA is dominated by the uneven energy deposition among wires.Finally,the synchronism and uniformity of the PWA explosion are discussed.

Electron population properties with different energies in a helicon plasma source

The characteristics of electrons play a dominant role in determining the ionization and acceleration processes of plasmas.Compared with electrostatic diagnostics,the optical method is independent of the radio frequency(RF)noise,magnetic field,and electric field.In this paper,an optical emission spectroscope was used to determine the plasma emission spectra,electron excitation energy population distributions(EEEPDs),growth rates of low-energy and highenergy electrons,and their intensity jumps with input powers.The 56 emission lines with the highest signal-to-noise ratio and their corresponding electron excitation energy were used for the translation of the spectrum into EEEPD.One discrete EEEPD has two clear different regions,namely the low-energy electron excitation region(neutral lines with threshold energy of13–15 eV)and the high-energy electron excitation region(ionic lines with threshold energy?19 e V).The EEEPD variations with different diameters of discharge tubes(20 mm,40 mm,and 60 mm)and different input RF powers(200–1800 W)were investigated.By normalized intensity comparison of the ionic and neutral lines,the growth rate of the ionic population was higher than the neutral one,especially when the tube diameter was less than 40 mm and the input power was higher than 1000 W.Moreover,we found that the intensities of low-energy electrons and high-energy electrons jump at different input powers from inductively coupled(H)mode to helicon(W)mode;therefore,the determination of W mode needs to be carefully considered.

Dynamics of plasma bullets by nanosecond pulsed micro-hollow cathode discharge within air

In this paper,the air plasma jet produced by micro-hollow cathode discharge(MHCD)is investigated.The discharge is powered by a positive nanosecond pulse high voltage supply.The waveforms of the discharge,the images of the jet,the evolution of the plasma bullet and the reactive species are obtained to analyze the characteristics of the MHCD plasma jet.It is found that the length of the plasma jet is almost proportional to the air flow rate of 2–6 slm.Two plasma bullets appear one after another during a single period of the voltage waveform,and both of the two plasma bullets are formed during the positive pulse voltage off.The propagation velocity of the two plasma bullets is on the order of several hundred m/s,which is approximate to that of the air flow.These results indicate that the gas flow has an important influence on the formation of this MHCD plasma jet.

Study on electrostatic discharge(ESD)characteristics of ultra-thin dielectric film

Electrostatic discharge(ESD)event usually destroys the electrical properties of dielectric films,resulting in product failure.In this work,the breakdown characteristic of machine mode(MM)ESD on three different nano size films of head gimble assemble are obtained experimentally.The breakdown voltage and thickness parameters show a positive proportional relationship,but they are generally very low and have large discrete characteristics(~30%).The maximum and minimum breakdown voltages of the tested samples are 1.08 V and 0.46 V,which are far lower than the requirement of the current standard(25 V).In addition,the judgment criterion of product damage is given,and the relationship between discharge voltage polarity,initial resistance and breakdown voltage is studied.Finally,the theoretical analysis of the breakdown characteristic law has been given.

Application of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet in a rat model of ischaemic stroke:Design,optimisation,and characteristics

Recent studies have shown the in vitro neuro-protective functions of atmospheric pressure plasma(APP)against multiple pathological injuries during ischaemic stroke(IS).However,whether APP treatment exerts a therapeutic effect on a rat IS model remains unclear.Here,on the basis of needle-to-ring dielectric barrier discharge,an atmospheric pressure plasma jet(APPJ)was designed,with the Helium as the working gas which was driven by a sinusoidal voltage.Then,the treatment conditions were optimised for IS rat model treatment and the characteristics of this APPJ were further diagnosed.Subsequently,the rat IS model was established through 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO),and plasma was intermittently inhaled by rats via the nasal cavity for a 2 min period at 60 min of MCAO process.The therapeutic effects of this plasma jet device were then evaluated using biomedical analyses.According to our results,intermittent APP inhalation in the MCAO rats increased the serum NO content,improved the neurological function,enhanced regional cerebral blood flow,lowered brain infarction,and reduced the cell apoptosis in brain tissues of MCAO rats.Collectively,our data provides a novel potential strategy for IS treatment by using atmospheric-pressure plasma inhalation.

Plasma medicine for neuroscience——an introduction

Plasma is an ionized gas.It is typically formed at high temperature.As a result of both the development of bow-temperature plasma sources and a better understanding of complex plasma phenomena over the last decade,"plasma medicine"has become a booming interdisciplinary research topic of growing importance that explores enormous opportunities at the interface of chemistry,plasma physics,and biomedical sciences with engineering.This review presents the latest development in plasma medicine in the area of the central nervous system and aims to introduce cutting-edge plasma medicine to clinical and translational medical researchers and practitioners.

Experiments on plasma dynamics of electrical wire explosion in air

Besides a typical high‐density plasma source,electrical explosion of conductors is also indispensable in switches,nanomaterial synthesis,shock‐wave sources,etc.In this paper,an experimental study regarding plasma dynamics of electrical wire explosions(μs‐timescale)is presented,with spatiotemporal resolved diagnostics.Pure Cu/Ni wire and Cu‐Ni alloy wire were used and compared.The alloy wire usually has a higher resistivity,resulting in a higher initial energy deposition(heating)rate.Abel inverse transformation indicated that the plasma radiation focussed on the outer region of the discharge channel for the alloy wire.In addition,the metallic vapour determined by the material properties had a considerable influence on the plasma process and resulting nanomaterials.In particular,both transverse and axial‐layered structures were observed in alloy wire vapour.In addition,for the first time,the expanding arc‐like plasma of explosion products was understood and examined from aspects of material properties and energy relaxation.The later stage of wire explosion resembled the state of regular metal vapour arcs under 1 MPa pressure.Finally,the core factor for the fast energy deposition stage of wire explosion was ascertained.Correlations between pre‐exposition circuit parameters and post‐explosion dynamic effects were found,which is significant for practical applications.

Effect of magnetic field on double layer in argon helicon plasma

The electric double layer in argon helicon plasma by using floating electrostatic probe and local optical emission spectroscopy under different external magnetic field was investigated.Results show that electrons generated in the plasma source can be magnetized by the magnetic field and transported by the gradient of diverging magnetic field in the diffusion chamber,giving rise to the hollowed distribution of electron temperature.The electron temperature on axis has a sudden decrease,leading to the sudden decrease of plasma density as well as the plasma potential,forming a double layer structure.The position of double layer moves along with the position of diverging magnetic field,and the potential drop increases along with the strength of magnetic field.The structure of the external magnetic field plays the decisive factor for the double layer in helicon plasma.